IELTS Writing Task 2 — Two-part
- Writing
- Task 2
- Two-part
IELTS Writing Task 2 Overview
Task 2 consists of the following:
① A writing prompt that presents a viewpoint, argument, or problem
② One to three questions related to that prompt
Topics can vary widely, covering areas such as culture, government, social sciences, the environment, and technology. You must write a formal essay of at least 250 words in response to the prompt within 40 minutes.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types
The following five types of questions may appear:
- Agree or disagree with a particular viewpoint or argument
- Discuss two opposing views
- Describe the advantages or disadvantages of a topic
- Explain the causes of a problem and provide solutions
- Address a given situation divided into two parts (Two-part Question)
Two-part Questions Overview
Two-part questions consist of two key elements.
Writing Prompt (Statement)
- A statement about a general situation, common phenomenon, conventional belief, or opinion
- A general statement of about 1–2 sentences
Questions
- Much more specific than the statement
- Indicate which aspects of the prompt you should focus on
- The questions may or may not be related to each other
- On rare occasions, three questions may appear
Two-part Questions Strategy
STEP 1. Understanding the Task
- Identify the details of the general situation or conventional belief
- Make sure to answer both questions
- Identify the topic in the statement
- Determine what information the questions are asking for (check question words such as "How," "Should," and "What are," along with key terms)
STEP 2. Planning Your Answer (4–5 Paragraphs)
- Use a minimum of four paragraphs, and five if necessary
- Structure: Introduction → 2–3 Body Paragraphs (one per question) → Conclusion
STEP 3. Paragraph Structure
Introduction
- Paraphrase the statement
- Provide a brief overview that briefly presents the answers to both questions
Main Body (2–3 paragraphs):
Expand on the answer to each question, with each paragraph including the following elements:
- A topic sentence that introduces the question and your main position
- An explanation of the answer
- An example that supports the answer
Conclusion
- Summary of the main points
Things to Keep in Mind
1. Spend 40 minutes
Since Task 2 is worth twice as much as Task 1, allocate about 40 minutes to it
2. Plan your answer
Spend a few minutes brainstorming your answers, explanations, and examples to create an outline
3. Use a variety of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and vary your sentence structures appropriately
4. Proofread
In the final few minutes, check for grammatical errors and typos, and make sure your writing is clear and coherent
5. Be sure to double-check that your conclusion accurately paraphrases the answers presented in your introduction, and that your essay exceeds 250 words